The Grade III Las Cienegas Stakes features a field of only six runners, but it could be one of a competitive race.
The 6½-furlong feature at Santa Anita is headlined by Zero Tolerance, but looking to run her down are the likes of Constantia, Gold for Kitten, and Tapwater.
Horse racing betting markets are available for the Sunday feature.
Favorite Gets Another Chance
The first time Zero Tolerance ran in grade company resulted in a fourth placing in the Autumn Miss Stakes. However, she gets a chance to redeem herself.
A 4-year-old filly by Mizzen Mast, Zero Tolerance has suffered only one defeat in four starts, which is an impressive record.
Her career started with a win at Del Mar before winning the Unzip Me Stakes at Santa Anita. She couldn’t quite muster in the Autumn Miss Stakes behind Burgoo Alley, but she dropped in distance to win over five furlongs at Del Mar last start.
Her return to form is a welcome sight for trainer Ruben Alvarado, who has given the filly time to mature. She had four runs in the space of three months during her first campaign, so the quick freshen-up should do wonders.
We wouldn’t be surprised to see her racing on Kentucky Derby Day in one of the undercard features for fillies and mares.
We expect the sportsbook to have Zero Tolerance well-fancied. Bettors should expect short odds on race day, but she’s not the only winning hope.
Sadler Duo to Throw Down Challenge
Master trainer John Sadler lines up Constantia and Gold for Kitten, and they should go close to Zero Tolerance.
Constantia is a 5-year-old mare with only six starts to her name, but she has been racing against strong fields.
She won the Mizdirection at Santa Anita in April before finishing second in the Monrovia Stakes behind Venetian Harbor, which is excellent form.
“Sadler will be well represented by Constantia, who takes a significant drop in class off a sixth place finish going one mile on grass in the G2 Goldikova Stakes,” reported The Paulick Report.
The daughter of Munnings then ran behind some smart types in the Daisycutter Handicap, Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint and Goldikova Stakes, so dropping in grade should work wonders.
Betting online markets should take plenty of action for Constantia, so watch for late moves.
Stablemate Gold for Kitten won her first two starts before running third in the Virginia Oaks and Ontario Damsel.
The 4-year-old daughter of Kitten’s Joy faces a stiff rise in class for the Las Cienegas Stakes, but she’s a progressive type. She is suited to this distance and she shouldn’t be discounted at each-way odds.
Turn on the Tapwater
Bringing the experience edge is Tapwater, who is making her 13th career start on Sunday.
The 6-year-old daughter of Tapit took five starts to record her first and only win, but she’s much better than a one-win mare. She has had only one start out of stakes grade since, which was a second placing at Santa Anita.
She owns placings in the likes of the Santa Barbara Stakes and Osunitas Stakes. It’s solid form for this race, and although easily beaten in the Miss America Stakes last start, she can rebound.
Trainer Richard Mandella usually gets his runners fit for their assignments and it could pay to include Tapwater in multiples.
